I was born to run

 Things were… quiet, as always. She liked quiet but she did not like feeling like she as more solitary than part of a unit. Their numbers stagnated and there was not much she could do about it. She remained because she enjoyed Mal’s company and he reminded her of someone but she could not place a claw on who. Regardless, these things could not hold her forever. She had been tamping it down for sentimental reasons but she was unsure if it was wise in the long run.

 She was away from the territory, not too far but far enough. She sat on a large stone that overlooked the crashing waves of the shoreline. The ocean always calmed her for a reason she did not know. It felt like home but perhaps she could find another beach pack. Vendrussel came to mind… but the woman was plagued by aggressive neighbors and putting yourself there was not wise.

 She closed her eyes, ears swiveling around as she listened to the ambiance around her… thinking of her options while the sun created a beautiful bloody display of the ocean.

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 She could hear the shifting of stone and sand behind her, instantly she was on alert. Her head turned sharply to prepare to confront who it was... but it was simply him. The white, scarred man from the Windmere meeting. Ah. He had been a simple sort, a man of few words which was something she could appreciate. 

 Even now, he did not fill her ears with pointless pleasantries and instead walked by with not but a sidelong glance. In return she would nod her head, a simple wordless greeting. Nonverbal communication was just as effective conveying what was needed. 

 Although, there was something on her mind that needed communicating. 

 She didn't speak for a moment, simply turning her gaze back towards the ocean and the setting sun. One ear remained trained on him though as she asked, "Cataloguing?" It was an assumption but if he was anything like her, he would be out trying to see what there was. The packs, the landscape, the prey. What was useful and what was not.

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[narrow width=450 There was silence between them after she asked her question. The only thing to disturb the void were the calls of the sea birds out of the water. She idly listened to them, finding solace in the symphony of the ocean. She didn’t rush him for an answer, she knew he’d answer if he felt like it and if he didn’t, he’d move along. No harm, no foul.

 When his answer finally came she gave a grunt of acknowledgement. She could understand the sentiment. When alone, their were no schedules, no borders to patrol, it was a simple and you just went out to learn what you needed while caring for yourself. There was safety in boredom but there was also safety in numbers.

 He countered the question and she replied with a simple, ”No.” A pause and then further clarification. ”Thinking.” And enjoying the scenery but that was a secondary nonimportant thing. Negligible.

 The waves called between them and she thought about if she wanted to divulge further. Perhaps… a sounding board of one who seemed about as no nonsense as she did. ”About my pack.” She would glance towards him, eyes of seafoam seeking out his alabaster form. [/narrow]
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 He turned towards her, realizing that there was more beneath the surface. She was no wordy creature, she always measured what she said to ensure she said what she needed to in as little as possible. It was better that way and cut down on unnecessary chatter. She almost instinctively knew he was of the same as she, that he could understand what she didn’t say better than most.

 She realized that she liked that. He didn’t remind her of anyone she knew –or didn’t know—and yet, his lack of words was relaxing. It felt easier to talk to him than someone who was combatting for the word space.

 ”Unsure about staying.” Her gaze would find the bloody horizon, the sun was lower, sinking down to be swallowed and nearly all the way gone. She did not beat around the bush. What was the point? Say it, get it out, get it over with. ”They’re for safety. But see none there.” She would have left before… but something had been holding her back? Mal? Most likely. He reminded her of someone that she couldn’t remember. His jovial nature held her from her ambitions of leaving. Even now, she hesitated when she should leave. It was small, had stayed that way, and she saw no indication of much growth. Logically speaking, she should be long gone… and here she was.

 Why even talk about it? Perhaps, she was just looking for a likeminded wolf to give her that push. Even so, where would she go next?

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 He spoke, sounding like one of her own thoughts. Although she didn't know where to roam and the life of a lone wolf was one that could be dangerous. Granted, she was no stranger to the loner life... it just seemed daunting to fish out a new pack to go to. But that was life and she would live. To his words she let out a contemplative grunt, her tattered ear flicking along to go along with her thoughts. 

 He continued speaking, and again, she found herself agreeing. Perhaps it just took someone else saying it before she felt that she was validated to take action. She felt that there was a lot of work here to be done but so much time had passed that she felt that it was hardly worth it anymore. It was time to move on, she'd stayed longer than she needed to. "Agreed." She said at length, her gaze once again finding his scarred face. Should she let Mal know? He would likely realize when she was no longer around. The door was always left open for her to leave and now, she felt as if she should do so. 

 She sat up on the rock and let out a sigh, feeling lighter. The road would be here home again, until she found somewhere to settle. "Thank-you. Needed to hear that." She said simply to him. Appreciative of his logical, sound reasoning. She didn't know if he was intentionally helping her or just speaking what was on his mind, but either way, it did help her. 

 She looked at the sky, wondering where she would head now. "Need to figure out where to go now." It would feel nice to just wander again until she figured out where to go. South? East? North? She hadn't been north yet. Hmm...

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 Where did she want to go. That was the million-dollar question. She shrugged and said simply, "North, maybe... or East. Never gone there." And she was curious. The woman was partial to the oceans but was not against traveling elsewhere for the sake of visitation or finding new horizons. 

 But then, she eyed the white wolf, a flicker of curiosity in her normally impassive gaze. Although she blinked and then it was gone but the question, she asked next was clearly indicative of the inquisitiveness that had been in her mind. "You?" As short as the sentence was, it carried everything within her brain. Were they heading in the same direction? What was he up to? All in that very simple word. She, surprisingly, was enjoying his company. Usually she tolerated most wolves, there were few that she enjoyed being around. Perhaps it was that wavelength that they cruised along together that made things easier with conversing with him.

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 Nowhere in particular, it was a similar answer to when they'd first met. Just wandering. It was as good a bet as any when you were a loner. The road was your friend, going places to scout out the best spot to lay your head and where the prey ran fruitfully. 

 His gaze turned away from her, onto the trail that he'd been walking when she stopped him. That way, wherever it went. It seemed like as good a path as any. "Yes." Because there was a rule as simple as could be and as old as time itself. Two wolves together were better than one. It was easier to hunt, easier to have someone that had your back in a pinch. It worked even better when this someone was a person like yourself, one that didn't mince their words. Who wouldn't talk too much. Who seemed quite logical, all things considered. She would see if anything would change with time, but for now, this was her path forward. 

 The woman would take one last look at the ocean but at this time the sun had been completely swallowed and the last bits of light were fading away. She rose to her paws, shook herself, and then padded over to the white wolf. Her head would dip once, showing that she would follow him.

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